Cephalon also sells a drug under the brand name Nuvigil, which is also modafinil.

What are the available dosages for Provigil?

Provigil is available in 100 milligram and 200 milligram dosages. The
recommended dosage is 200 milligrams per day taken as a single dose in
the morning. Patients with shift work sleep disorder usually take Provigil
about 1 hour before their work shift. Elderly patients and those with
liver problems should take a reduced dosage.

How should I take Provigil?

Take Provigil with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without
food. Food does not reduce the effectiveness of Provigil; however, it
will delay the absorption of the drug in the digestive system.

How should I store Provigil?

Provigil should be stored in the container it came in, tightly closed
and out of the reach of children. It should be kept at room temperature
in a place not exposed to excessive heat or moisture.

What if I miss a dose of Provigil?

Take it as soon as your remember. If you don’t remember to take
it until the next day, skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular
schedule. Do not take a double dose.

Can children take Provigil?

No, the drug has not been approved by the United States FDA or the Canadian
authorities for pediatric use. Consult your doctor.

Can I take Provigil if I’m on hormonal birth controls?

Yes, but Provigil
can interact with hormonal birth control (contraceptives). Women who
use hormonal contraceptives may have a higher chance of getting pregnant
while taking Provigil and for one month after discontinuing the use of
Provigil. Women should talk to their doctor about which contraceptive
methods to use while taking Provigil.

Can I take Provigil if I’m pregnant or nursing?

The active ingredient in Provigil, modafinil, is in the FDA pregnancy
category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful
to an unborn baby. There are no adequate studies that assess effects of
Provigil in pregnant women or nursing mothers. If you are pregnant, planning
to get pregnant, or are currently breast-feeding, you should talk to your
doctor before taking Provigil.

Can I drink alcohol if I’m taking Provigil?

The use of Provigil in combination with alcohol has not been studied.
People taking Provigil should avoid alcohol until the matter has been
thoroughly studied.

Can I take Provigil if I’m a professional athlete?

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) included modafinil on its List
of Prohibited Substances and Methods. Olympic athletes as well as professional
athletes participating in other sporting events around the world may
be disciplined if they test positive for modafinil. Several world-class
athletes have got in trouble after testing positive for modafinil.

Provigil has a 15-hour half life (the amount of time before half of the
drug’s peak plasma levels are eliminated by the body), meaning that
if you take a single pill in the morning the drug will probably have little
effect on your night-time sleep.

Remember: your body and brain need sleep! Provigil can be abused, like
any drug, and if you take it too often you could not get enough sleep.
Stay within the recommended dosages and get regular sleep.

Can I become addicted to Provigil?

Provigil is a Schedule IV controlled substance. This means that Provigil
may be a target for people who abuse medicines or street drugs. However,
certain chemical properties of modafinil, the active ingredient in Provigil,
reduce its potential for abuse. Because the drug is insoluble in water,
it cannot be readily injected. Also, it degrades with heating, which severally
hampers its effectiveness if smoked. There has been some finding that modafinil affects dopamine in the brain, which raises a flag that it might be addictive.

Keep your Provigil in a safe place to reduce the risk of someone else getting ahold of it. Giving Provigil to anyone who doesn't have a prescription for it is against the law.

Can I overdose on Provigil?

You can potentially overdose on any drug. Patients should always adhere to the dosage schedule prescribed by their doctor. In the case of accidental overdosage, the risk of potentially
dangerous or life-threatening effects is minimal.

Symptoms of an overdose might include the following:

Aggressiveness

Agitation

Anxiety

Confusion

Diarrhea

Insomnia

Irritability

Nausea

Nervousness

Palpitations

Sleep disturbances

Tremors

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention.

Will I experience symptoms of withdrawal if I stop taking Provigil?

It is unlikely. If you suffer from narcolepsy, you will begin to
feel sleepy again, but this does not constitute clinical withdrawal.